Helen has animal health in focus

Helen Parker from Kemnay who is through to the UK final in an animal health competition

Published:07:00Friday 03 July 2015

A Scottish Rural College student from Kemnay has reached the UK final of a competition on animal health.

Helen Parker, a second year Agriculture student at the Aberdeen campus of Scotland’s Rural College, will now travel to Birmingham on Wednesday, July 8, to discover if she has won.

Organised by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers and sponsored by nutrition company Volac the competition was open to both veterinary and agriculture students across the UK. Entrants had to submit a 1500 word essay on farm health planning, demonstrating their knowledge of the effects of disease on animal health and welfare as well as the farm business. The winner will be announced at the prestigious national Livestock event, held in Birmingham’s NEC.

Helen said, “I am delighted and excited. Apart from the competition it is a great opportunity to go to such an important event focusing on UK livestock farming. There will be a lot to learn and find out about.”

A mature student, just finishing her Higher National Diploma in Agriculture and with plans to progress to an Honours Degree in Agriculture with the SRUC. Helen lives on Mosshead Farm which has mixed arable, beef and sheep, and she also has an interest in pigs.